Hazrat Amir Muawiyah’s (ra) Proposals to Hazrat Uthman (ra)
Hazrat Uthman (ra) performed the pilgrimage of Hajj approximately a year before his demise or when the disorder had reached its peak. In any case, when he performed his last pilgrimage of Hajj, the rebels had started to openly create disorder. Hazrat Amir Muawiyah (ra) was greatly concerned about this and Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) states:
“On the return from Hajj, Hazrat Muawiyah (ra) also accompanied Hazrat Uthman (ra) to Medina. After having stayed there for a few days, when he was about to depart, he met Hazrat Uthman (ra) in private and said, ‘It appears that disorder is growing; if you permit, may I submit something in this regard?’ Hazrat Uthman (ra) said, ‘Go ahead.’
“Upon this, he said, ‘My first proposal is that you accompany me to Syria as it is peaceful there in every respect; there is no disorder whatsoever. I fear that if disorder suddenly arises we may not be able to make arrangements at the time.’ Hazrat Uthman (ra) replied, ‘I cannot leave the neighbourhood of the Holy Prophet (sa) under any circumstance, even if my body is torn to pieces.’
“Hazrat Muawiyah (ra) said, ‘Then my second proposal is that you grant me permission to send a contingent of the Syrian army for your protection. No one shall be able to make mischief in its presence.’ Hazrat Uthman (ra) replied, ‘Neither can I burden the bait-ul-mal [treasury] to such an extent in order to safeguard the life of Uthman, nor can I tolerate putting the people of Medina to difficulty by maintaining a military presence.’
“Upon this, Hazrat Muawiyah (ra) submitted, ‘Then my third proposal is that you send off the Companions to various countries because in their presence, people possess the courage to assume that if you do not remain, someone else may be put forward in your stead.’
“Hazrat Uthman (ra) replied, ‘How is it possible for me to scatter those whom the Holy Prophet (sa) has gathered?’ Upon hearing this, Hazrat Muawiyah (ra) began to weep and submitted, ‘If you do not accept any of these strategies which I have proposed for your protection, then at least announce to the people, “If any harm comes to me, then Muawiyah shall possess the right to retaliate on my behalf.” Perhaps, people shall refrain from making mischief in fear on this account.’
“Hazrat Uthman (ra) replied, ‘Muawiyah! What is to happen will surely come to pass. I cannot grant this permission since you possess a stern disposition.’” Hazrat Uthman (ra) said to Hazrat Muawiyah that he possessed a stern disposition; “‘and may treat the Muslims harshly.’ “Thereupon, Hazrat Muawiyah (ra) stood up weeping and said, ‘I fear this may be our last meeting.’ When he stepped outside, he said to the Companions, ‘The fate of Islam rests upon you. Hazrat Uthman (ra) has now fallen very weak. Disorder is escalating. Please do look after him.’ After saying this, Muawiyah (ra) set off for Syria.”
(Islam Mein Ikhtilafat ka Aghaz, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 4, pp. 285-286)